Frank Rijkaard vs José Santamaría
Netherlands against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Frank Rijkaard
Netherlands · 1980s · CB
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Netherlands
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 73 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, Real Zaragoza, AC Milan
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 1995
An elegant yet imposing figure, Rijkaard was a defensive lynchpin for both AC Milan and Ajax, winning the Euros in 1988 and dominating as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. Career record: 73 caps and 10 goals for Netherlands; club career at AFC Ajax, Real Zaragoza, AC Milan; honours include national Player of the Year 1995.
José Santamaría
Uruguay · 1954–66 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Uruguay
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 20 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
Madrid's press called him El Muro, and he earned it across 337 matches for the club, having already done the rare thing of playing a World Cup for Uruguay in 1954 and another for Spain in 1962. He won four European Cups with Real Madrid in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966, six Spanish league titles, the 1960 Intercontinental Cup and a Copa del Generalísimo. Career record: 20 caps and 0 goals for Uruguay; club career at Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.
The verdict
The almanac puts Frank Rijkaard ahead by 2 rating points, 93 against 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.